"Gramps!" I scolded. "They said you need rest and you’re getting it." I helped him lay back down.
Gramps smiled, already breathing heavily. "I missed you scolding me like I’m your child when it’s the other way around."
"Oh, stop!"
He spread his arms, and I happily dove into them as he embraced me.
"You’re home." He kissed my forehead.
"Yes." I closed my eyes, feeling like the world had disappeared, but a knock distracted us.
"Oh my..." Granny murmured, and I turned to find Ares at the door.
I quickly sat up. I was expecting him to wait instead of coming. Oh no.
"Who’s that?" Gramps asked, narrowing his eyes. "Doesn’t look like he’s from around here.
Ares stepped in. "Evening, Mr. and Mrs. Lane."
They couldn’t reply, and I don’t expect them to, given how immense his presence was and no less his voice. It was always his voice.
"Evening..." Granny swallowed. "And you are?"
"He’s my boss, Ares King." I rushed a reply before he could speak.
"Boss?"
"Yes! We were in the middle of a meeting in um a city so we just—"
"Oh my... I called when you were in a different city?" Granny said, regret filling her gaze.
"N-No, I mean it’s okay. Ares—I mean, Mr. King is very generous."
"Really?"
I nodded.
Granny walked to Ares and took his hands.
"Granny—"
"Thank you so much, you’re very kind," she said, giving him a sweet smile. "This one is stoic most of the time, isn’t he?"
"Granny!"
"You’re welcome, Mrs. Lane," Ares replied.
"Oh, please..." She patted his cheek. "Call me Margaret or Maggie for short."
"Is he the one who makes working for him hell?" Gramps asked out of the blue, and he wasn’t being discreet at all.
Dear ground, swallow me now!
~☆~
Gramps was now sleeping, and Granny stayed with him. I was in the middle of getting something from the vending machine.
Thank God. I was so scared there. I talked with the doctor, and he told me there was nothing to worry about, just that his body wasn’t like it used to be, and he needed more rest, and any farm work was not recommended.
Granny told me Gramps has been working hard to set the farm back in order after the bills were cleared quickly. According to her, he was pushing himself more, probably beating himself at the fact that he couldn’t offer any assistance.
Oh, Gramps.
The machine stopped before my drink could get out.
"Fuck!" I cursed, tapping my palm against it, but the damn thing wasn’t budging.
A strong fist slammed, and the drinks were out.
"R-Reed..."
He leaned over to grab the drinks and handed them to me.
"Thanks." I forced a smile.
"Your eyes are red."
"A-Are they?"
He reached for the inside of his coat and took out a case.
"My glasses."
"You left it in the car."
"I didn’t even know I left them..." I looked at the vending machine. "I think I fed it more coins. I probably should wait for more drinks."
He chuckled softly, and I smiled. I didn’t realize how much I miss cracking my random jokes with him until now.
"I should wear that now." I reached for the case, but my hands were full.
Reed took out of my glasses and wore them for me, pushing the center with a finger so that they fit well. His hand moved, and my heart skipped a beat when he made contact with my cheek, but I stepped away like I had been stung.
"S-Sorry, I was just getting something there," he said. "I didn’t mean to scare you."
"I-It’s okay. Is it my mascara, though? I’ve been crying my eyes out on the way. I was... I was so scared. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happens to them; they are the only family I have."
"They are gonna be okay... Mr. King... he talked with the doctor."
"Ares?"
"Yeah... and—"
I was already brushing past him before he could finish. I made the next turn in the lobby, giving way for the nurses passing by.
I spot Ares, sitting on the waiting bench, legs crossed and scrolling through his phone. He looked so out of place here, and passers kept sneaking glances at him. His coat probably costs more than most of the things here.
Releasing a breath, I neared him and sat, leaving an inch of space, dropping the bottle of water I got for him, and opened my can of Coke.
"It’s probably not the brand you drink—"
Ares took my Coke before it could get to my lips, and switched it with the bottle of water I got for him.
"I was gonna drink that."
"You haven’t had anything to eat yet," he stated, eyes still glued to his phone.
I released a sharp exhale and leaned back on the seat. "Um, Reed told me you met with the doctor?"
"Yes."
"Why?" I asked, but then I figured there was no use when I already had an idea of what went down. "Ares, you don’t have to—"
"As the contract states, your well-being is my priority."
"This is about my grandparents."
He flickered his eyes. "Still within the grounds of the contract."
"Can’t you just do something out of the goodness of your heart without mentioning that goddamn contract?!" I blurted before I could even keep track of myself.
My outburst caught eyes, and Ares just stared at me, a flash of confusion plastered on his face.
Shit!
I rose to leave, but my wrist was snatched, and I was forced back to sit, but this time, there was no space.
"I’m just overly emotional right now, so don’t mind that..." I said quickly to ward him off.
"Is that all that was?"
"What else could it have been?" I asked, pinning him with my eyes. "Nothing, that’s what. Maybe I’m just sick and tired of you using the contract as a weapon against me."
"The contract isn’t a weapon," he said sternly. "It’s what draws the line and shows we’re two consensual adults in an agreement."
My chest tightened, and despite it, a smile still crossed my lips. "Of course, Mr. King."